Group accuses CMU of keeping a lid on survey of controversial wind project/Groundbreaking for Sleeping Bear bike path

Group accuses CMU of keeping a lid on survey of controversial wind projectBy Patrick SullivanA citizens group opposed to a wind farm in Benzie and Manistee countiessays Central Michigan University (CMU) is keeping documents related to theproject from public view.An attorney for Arcadia Wind Study Group filed a lawsuit last week thatseeks to force CMU to release hundreds of pages of documents.CMU and Duke Energy entered into an agreement on March 1 to undertake astudy called Township Views of Alternative Energy and Wind Farms.Duke agreed to pay CMU $21,581 for the work.Now, Arcadia says, CMU will not release the results of the study.A call for comment to the CMU general counsels office was referred to theschools communications office, which did not return a message seekingcomment.

INFO REQUESTThe Arcadia group filed a request under the Michigan Freedom ofInformation Act on May 5 for records related to that study and a reportuniversity researchers prepared for Duke, according to the lawsuit.Three weeks later, CMU informed Arcadia that its request would onlypartially be granted, citing exemptions in theFOIA law.The university refused to turn over survey results, survey data, and thefinal report on the basis that those items were the property of DukeEnergy.When the university was still slow to turn over documents it did deempublic, Arcadia filed a lawsuit in the 19th Circuit Court in ManisteeCounty.

DAMAGES SOUGHTFor the study, CMU agreed to conduct telephone and mail surveys ofresidents of Arcadia, Blaine, Joyfield and Pleasanton townships.Jesse Williams, attorney for Arcadia, said he doesnt know why theuniversity is reluctant to turn over documents.I dont know, I have not spoken to their counsel, Williams said. Iwould like at least an opportunity to have someone explain that to me.The lawsuit seeks an order to force CMU to turn over all of the requesteddocuments, damages of $500, and attorney fees for Arcadia. The maximumdamage amount allowed under FOIA is $500.We really hoped we could have avoided going through the courts, DougCarter, president of the Arcadia Wind Study Group, said in a statement.Duke Energy is not a party in the suit and the suit does not allege anywrongdoing against Duke.This was a privately commissioned survey, commissioned for the solepurpose of helping Duke Energy refine the projects footprint, said Dukespokesman Greg Efthimiou.The wind proposal has divided some residents of the rural townships.Some residents object to the project, saying the turbines would be placedtoo close to homes and they could harm property values.Proponents of the project say its a way of producing clean energy whilebringing millions of dollars into the regions economy.

Groundbreaking for Sleeping Bear bike pathThe Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail in the national park will have itsgroundbreaking ceremony at the Dune Climb on Friday, August 12 at 11 a.m.When completed, the 27-mile trail will run from the southern edge ofLeelanau County through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore northto GoodHarbor Bay.A news release from TART Trails states that the groundbreaking willcelebrate the upcoming construction of nearly five miles of trail betweenGlen Arbor and the Dune Climb. Construction is scheduled to begin thisfall and be completed next year.The trail is a project of the Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Committee(LSHR) in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation,Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes,and TART Trails.Funding for the trail comes from federal and state grants, foundations,and individual donations.After five years, this amazing Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route project istaking physical shape. By this time next year, we will be able to safelybike, walk, or wheel from the Dune Climb to Glen Arbor with theopportunity to stop at other park sites in between,  said PattyODonnell, Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail project manager - NorthwestMichigan Council of GovernmentsThe trail was included in the National Lakeshores most recent managementplan and garnered strong public support during the planning process.According to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent DustyShultz the The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is the single most excitingproject to come out of our recently completed General Management Plan. The trail will provide a wonderful way to explore and learn about thepark, as well as become a meaningful alternative for visitors to travelbetween park sites and local businesses  without having to use theircars! -- Express staff reports